Swaging apparatus



Jan. 4, 1949.

Filed April 2', 1946 J. c. LULEY 2,458,395

SWAGING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JC ZLULE) Jan. 4, 1949. v

Filed April 2, 1946 FIG. 4

J. c. LUL EY' SWAGING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR J C. L UL E Y Jan. 4, 1949. J. c. LULEY I SWAGING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet I Filed April 2,; 1946' INVENTOR .1.c LUL 5r:

' A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT, ormcs SWAGING APPARATUS John C. Luley, Teaneck, N. J., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 2, 1946, Serial No. 6594315 5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a swaging apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for swaging containers on bases or covers for electrical units.

In the manufacture of communication equipment, numerous electrical units are housed in metal containers which initially have open ends to receive bases or covers for the containers, the bases supporting terminals for electrical connections with the internal parts of the units. In the present embodiment, a metal container is to be secured to a base, a portion of which supports coils and extends into the container while terminals are supported by the external portion of the base, supports terminals which form connection with the coils. The internal portion of the base and coils disposed in the container is to be embedded in a sealing compound, but before this takes place, the container must be secured to the base. Due to the particular structure of the base, the conventional methods of connecting the covers to containers cannot be employed.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is automatic in operation and highly eflicient in connecting containers to supporting bases, of electrical units or the like.

Broadly, the invention comprises an apparatus for connecting a cylindrical article to a base having an annular groove therein, the apparatus including a swaging tool which is moved toward the base to force portions of the article into the annular groove during relative rotation of the tool and the article and base.

More specifically, the apparatus includes a swaging unit in which a support is provided for the grooved base and the cylindrical article or metal container when disposed on the base. A socket is movable downwardly under fluid operated means to extend over the upper end of the article and form a driving connection therewith. Power means is operatively connected to both the socket and the support to drive them in synchronism in the same direction about a common axis so that the article and base will be rotated in the same manner. During the rotary movement of the article and base, swaging rollers equally spaced about the support are forced inwardly simultaneously under like pressures to swage a portion of the article into the groove of the base. Upon the closing of the start switch, the apparatus is automatic in its operation through each complete operating cycle after which it resets itself for the next operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus with a portion of the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the swaging unit, this view being taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the swaging unit, this view being taken substantially along the line d-fi of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailed View of the structure shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical and pneumatic control circuits for the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of the power driving mechanism; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the article and base in the swaging unit.

Referring now to the drawings, a supporting frame I!) has a swaging or rolling unit l I mounted thereon, the swaging unit being shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. A bottom plate M of the unit I5 is centrally apertured to receive a bearing l5 for a shaft H6. The shaft l6 carries a support l! which is recessed at It to receive terminal portions Id of a base 20. As shown in Fig. 9, the base 20 has an annular groove 2! therein and an integral flange 22 to support an article 23 which in the present embodiment is a cylindrical metal container. An upwardly projecting central portion 24 of the support I! actually supports the base and article, its upper end being formed to engage and drive the base 28 when the suport is rotated.

A plurality of cylinders 21 are mounted at equally spaced positions on the plate I 4, the outer ends of the cylinders having passageways 28 which communicate with passageways 29 in the plate 14 and through these passageways to a fluid supply line Bil. Pistons 32, disposed in the cylinders 2'! and having projections 33 at their inner ends to space them from the inner ends of their cylinders function to force swaging rollers 35 inwardly simultaneously under like pressures to force the material of the article into the recess of the base. The swa ging rollers 35 have integral annular beads 36, lying in a plane with the groove 2! of the base. The swaging rollers are rotatably supported on like arms of bell-crank levers 31, the adjacent arms of the levers having 3 rounded projections 38 to engage the outer ends of their respective pistons 32. The levers 31 are pivotally supported intermediate their ends on shafts 39 and are normally urged clockwise to force the swaging rollers away from the article and base and to force their pistons inwardly by force of springs 40 carried by their respective cylinders 21. A cover M is provided for the swaging unit II and is centrally apertured to receive the base and article.

The shaft I6, which carries the support H, has its lower end journalled in a bearing 43, a gear 44 being mounted upon the shaft between the bearings I5 and 43. The gear 44 and its lower bearing 43 are disposed in a housing portion 45 of the frame It) together with an intermediate gear 46 and a drive gear 41. The gear 46 is rotatably supported on a stub shaft 48'while the gear 4'! is mounted upon the lower end of a vertical shaft 49. The shaft 49 is supported by bearings 50 adjacent its ends, a gear 5! being mounted upon the upper end of the shaft. The gear 5! is of the same size as the gear 41 and an intermediate gear 52, identical with the gear 4'6, operatively connects the gear 5| with a gear 53 which is identical with the gear 44. Through this train of gears, the base 28 and the article 23 are rotated simultaneously in the same direction and at the same speed about a common axis. The gears 52 and 53 are supported between a head plate 55 of the frame ID and a bracket 54 mounted upon the head plate. A spindle 56 extends through the bracket 54, the gear 53 and'the head plate 55 to support a socket 51 on the lower end thereof. The socket is hollow and open at its lower end to extend over the upper end of the article 23. A notch 58 in the socket 51 will receive a pressed-out portion 59 of the article (Fig. 2) to form a positive driving connection between the socket and thearticle.

The spindle 56 has its upper end mounted in a chuck 60 which is supported by a friction clutch 6| at the lower end of the conventional splined shaft 63, common in drill presses. The shaft 53 extends upwardly into a head structure 54 which i houses a pulley 65 operatively connected to a pulley 66 of a motor 61 by a belt 68. The detailed structure of the head 64 is not shown, it being understood that the splined shaft 63 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 8) and may be moved axially into and out of engagement with the article 23. The head 64 is supported by a bracket '10 mounted on a column II, the bracket 70 carrying a support I2 for the motor 61. The column II has its lower end mounted in the frame I and is supported thereby.

Returning now to the gear 52 (Figs. 1 and 8), this gear is mounted upon the lower end of a shaft 13 which is the input haft of a one revolution clutch unit I5. The train of gears in the unit I are shown in Fig. 8 connecting the input shaft I3 to an output shaft 16 of the unit. A connecting member ll mounted upon the outer end of the output shaft I6, includes a notch 18 to receive a finger I9 (Figs. 5 and 6) of a controlling element 80. This portion of the clutch mechanism also includes a cam member 8| (Figs. 7 and 8) positioned to open a normally closed switch 82. The element 80 is pivotally supported at 84 and carries a gear segment 85 at its upper end to interengage a pinion 86. The pinion 86 is mounted upon a shaft 87 which carries a pinion 88 positioned in engagement with a rack89 of a sleeve 90 which moves axially with the splined shaft B3.

A cylinder 93 supported by the bracket I9 contains a piston (not shown) connected to a rod 94 extending through and fixed to the adjacent end 96 of a bracket 9i, the lower end of the rod carrying a plunger 98. The bracket 91 is connected to the splined shaft E3 to cause axial movement thereof downwardly during like movement of the piston and its ram or rod 9 In a similar manner, the shaft I53 is moved upwardly'during the return movement of the piston in the cylinder to its upward position. When the splined shaft 63 is lowered sufficiently to lower the socket 57 over the article 23, and form connection therewith between the projection 59 and the slot 58 and close the friction clutch 6!, the plunger 98 has been lowered sufficiently to open a normally closed valve I90.

Attention is now directed to the electrical and pneumatic control circuits shown in Fig. 7. The supply lines I02 and I83 for the electrical circuit I04 are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy. There is but one control switch Iii-5 actuated by the operator to start the apparatus. When this switch is closed, a circuit is completed from line 592 through the switch I05 through switch 82, winding I95 of a relay Iill to line IE3. Energization of the relay Ifil will close its contacts I68, i523 and It; completinga looking circuit for the winding I35 from line I92, through closed contact Ill), switch 82, winding I05 to line I33. At the same time, a winding I I2 of a solenoid operable valve I M will be energized through the closing of a circuit from line H32, through closed contact I08, winding I I2, closed contact if!!! to line I83. Energization of the solenoid valve He will open a fluid line from a supply line IIG, through a shut-off valve IN, a strainer II8, a pressure control valve I20 with its gage I2I, line I55, valve H4 and through line I22 to a Valve I23, In the present embodiment, the fluid employed is air under pressure. he movable element (not shown) of the valve in, normally urged to the right by a spring i24, is moved to the left by air under pressure from line I22 when the valve H4 is opened. When in the operated (left) position the valve I23 opens a line I25 from the sup-ply, through the valve and line I26 to the top of the cylinder 93. The piston inthe cylinder is moved downwardly and at the same time, air beneath the piston is exhausted through line !2?, the valve I23, line I28 and an exhaust muiflerIZS. When the plunger 98 operates the valve IEO a line is completed from the supply at connection I38, through line I3I, a pressure control valve I32 with its gage I33, a strainer I34, valve I and line 30 to the cylinders 2'! of the swaging or rolling unit II. Deenergization of the winding H2 will effect closing of the valve H4, freeing the valve M3 to return to its normal (right) position by its spring I24. Shifting of the valve I23 to its normal position connects line I25 with line l2? to direct air under pressure to the bottom of the cylinder '93 and at the same time, connects line 25 to line I28 to exhaust the air above the piston through the muffler I29. When the valve IE0 is free to return to its closed position, it closes line 83f and opens line 33 to the exhaust muffler I29 through line I35.

Considering now the operation of the apparatus, it should be understood that the first action required of the operator is the locating of the base 20, with the cover or article 23 placed thereon, on the support H as illustratedin Fig. 4.

A central aperture in the cover 4I assists the 5 operator in performing this function. The next action by the operator is the closing of the switch 05. The apparatus will then go through one complete cycle and reset itself for the next cycle of operation at which time the finished product may be removed from the apparatus and another base and article disposed in place.

After the base 20, with the article or container 23 thereon,- is 1ocated on the support I! and the operator closes the switch I'05,'the relay I! is energized and is constantly under the control of the cam 81 of the one revolution clutch 15. When the contacts of the relay I06 are closed, the solenoid valve H4 is opened, operating valve I23, causing downward movement of the piston in the air cylinder 93, moving the splined shaft 63 and sleeve 90 downwardly with the clutch 6|, the spindle 56 and the socket 51. During this interval of time, the motor 61 is energized, driving the shaft 63, but the support I! and the socket 5! are not driven at this time as the clutch BI is not engaged. When the socket 51 is moved downwardly over the upper end of the article and connection is completed between the notch 58 and the portion 19 (Fig. 2) further downward movement of the shaft 63 will engage the clutch 6! to drive the article in one direction and through gears 53, 52, 5|, 41, 46 and 44, rotate the base in the same direction and at the same speed. The connection of the clutch 6| starts operation of the one revolution clutch and rotation of its cam 81, the clutch 15 having been unlocked. During downward movement of the shaft 63 and sleeve 90, the element 80 is moved from its solid line position (Fig. 6) to its dot-dash position to free the one-revolution clutch for operation. As soon as connection is formed between the socket 5? and the article 23, the valve its is opened, opening the fluid lines to the cylinders 2'! of the swaging unit, causing the pistons 32 to move inwardly, that is, toward the center of the unit. In this manner, all swaging rollers being moved by the same driving force, equal pressures will be applied at equally spaced positions about the article to roll the metal of the article into the groove 2| of the base. During this time, both the base and the article are positively driven, the swaging rollers being free to rotate upon their shafts to cause an easy flowing of the material of the article into the groove. When there has been one revolution of the clutch 15, during several revolutions of the socket 5i and support H, the cam 6| will open the switch 82 deenergizing the relay I01 and also the winding I I2 of the solenoid valve I I4. When this occurs, the movable element of the valve H4 will return to its normal position under the force of a spring I24 (Figs. 1 and '7) reversing action of the piston in the cylinder 93 causing upward movement of the piston with its rod 94 and plunger 98. Upon the first upward movement of the piston rod, the valve I00 will be allowed to close exhausting the air back of the pistons 32 in the swaging unit and exhausting the air from the top of the cylinder through the rnuilier I29. During the first portion of the up ward movement of the piston in the cylinder 93, the sleeve 90 and the shaft 63, the clutch 6| is disengaged stopping operation of the one-revolution clutch it. Further movement of the sleeve 90 will rotate the pinion 89, its shaft 81 and pinio to to move the gear segment 85 and the element 539, to move the projection 19 into the notch it of the connecting member 11. The onerevolution clutch is thus locked against further movement until released for the next operation near the bottom ofthe next downward stroke of the sleeve 90. In this manner, the apparatus is at rest, ready for the next operating cycle.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood thatthey are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for connecting a cylindrical article to a base having an annular groove therein, the apparatus comprising a swaging tool, respective holders for the article and base, driving means to rotate the holder for the article to drive the article in a given direction and at a predetermined speed, driving means for the holder for the base operable in synchronism with the first driving means to drive the base in the same direction and at the same speed, and means to move the tool toward the base to force portions of the article into the groove of the base.

2. An apparatus for connecting a cylindrical article to a base having an annular groove there in, the apparatus comprising a plurality of swaging rollers equally spaced about the base and having their peripheries disposed in general alignment with the groove of the base, means to individually support the rollers for movement toward and away from the base, separate means normally urging the roller away from the base, means to rotate the article and base, and fluid operated means to simultaneously force the rollers under like pressures toward the base during rotation of the article and base to cause swaging of a portion of the article into the groove of the base.

3. An apparatus for connecting a cylindrical article to a base having an annular groove therein, the apparatus comprising a rotatable member to support and rotate the base, a reciprocable and rotatable element to rotate the article, a unit operatively connecting the member and element to cause rotation of the member simultaneously with the element about a common axis and in the same direction with the element when the element is rotated, a driving shaft to move the element into and out of engagement with the article, means interposed between the driving member and the element to operatively connect them after the element has engaged the article, and means to move the swaging tool during rotation of the article and base to force material of the article into the groove of the base.

4. An apparatus for connecting a cylindrical article to a base having an annular groove therein, the apparatus comprising a rotatable membar to support and rotate the base, a reciprocable and rotatable element to rotate the article, a unit operatively connecting the member and element to cause rotation of the member simultaneously with the element about a common axis and in the same direction with the element when the element is rotated, a driving shaft to move the element into and out of engagement with the article, means interposed between the driving member and the element to operatively connect them after the element has engaged the article, means operable to lock the unit against operation until the element engages the article, and means to move the swaging tool during rotation of the article and base to force material of the article into the groove of the base.

5. An apparatus for connecting a cylindrical articie .12 a base .having an annular grooye .therein, the apparatus camprising a retatahle member to suppnrt and rotate thetbasee reeinrocablefand rotatable element to rotate. the anticle, a unit peratively connecting :the member -and element to cause rotation of the member fiimu taneously with the element about -;.a acqmmen taxis and in the same direction -.w th the element .W-h1:n the element is rotated, at drivin sheit :tamnve the lement int and out .of enga ement with the article, means interposed between the driving member and t e l men to erativel eonne t them after the element hast-engaged. the aIjtiQlB, means ope able to lock the {111 17 gains ope ation until the .elementengagesthe artiele, meams movable with th driv ng sha t to e erate the MEEEKENGES 0mm Cfihe following -1=eferences are of record in the file of this patent:

PATENTS Number Name Date 385308 Berry Aug. 14, 1888 2192,5771 .filatworthy Feb. 28- 1-393 r2;3 5,808 Miller May 15, 19.45 

